The three objects I would not do without are three gifts from my beloved Wife:

Gift 1: Pen for Life

My Pelikan pen was a Christmas gift from our days in the magic city. I have since drafted, or at least sketched, all my long hand work with it, and many of these posts. I love the smooth gliding of the nib on paper, the reflection of sunlight on its body. It’s a work of (he)art. It’s a source of inspiration, it follows its own rule, guiding my wrist toward the best words to express feelings of love, of fear, of hope. Writing with it is an exercise of the soul, more than the mind. When I attempted some serious editing, it was the obvious tool to use,  scripting what it should be, reflecting, changing the sentences again. 

The pen is responsible for my best characters, inspired by history, encounters, or simply by the necessity for them to be born. It is their midwife, the one object that makes them possible, and then alive. They know it and show respect for it, as they would toward a wise and protective mother. It is impossible for me to try and create some new work without the pen presiding, over the choice of plot, of characters, of location, of style, of tone. It is the conductor, the leader. 

It is my alter ego, the real creator of my work. Without it I am without a voice, without dreams.

Gift 2: Mules to Heaven

This pair of Goodwin-Smith mules is my latest acquisition, a Christmas gift also. Their comfort and warmth is a bliss at the present time of the year. They replace a much worn and much cheaper version bough some years back at Aldi. The latter I still use in the garden. The new pair is strictly for indoors use, and an obligation when I work on these posts: evidently another source of inspiration, or watch some historical series on the box, always in company. I associate their comfort with red wine, a fire in the wood stove, and evening light. Perhaps also with some more audacious undertaking I would not describe on this post.

I have to ensure I don’t rush out in the rain with them, or splash them when I wash up. They are an invitation to discipline and common sense. “Introducing our Stone Suede Mule, a classic cork mule sample made in premium suede and cork. Threaded vamp strap with  makes this a stylish, quality, design. Soft suede, contoured footbed. Durable TPR sole unit. Extremely comfortable in wear.” Goodwin-Smith dixit. A superb gift.

Gift 3: A Watch to Eternity

This Seiko watch was the first gift from the damsel who was to become my wife, shortly after we met. It has been with me ever since, for the last forty years. Other gifts followed over the years, but this one remains very special. I have worn this watch on the summits, in the valleys, in cities we loved, and some we abhorred, driving, walking, running, eating out, buying wine or furniture, shopping every week… It’s my companion, it knows more about this old heart than anyone, bar one.

It witnessed meetings, weird encounters, with it we watched all sorts, went to concerts, for long rides in forests. Its discreet ticking is a reminder, soft and patient of the flow of time, perhaps another gift? I have changed its leather bracelet many times. Maybe I should get her something more fitting next time, I see her as an old friend, almost a venerable mistress. The man who was our local jeweller passed out some time ago, so that we have to trust strangers to change her battery every year. Maybe I should get the tools to do this myself.

Picture: Goodwin Smith cork mules